Patent application title: ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

Abstract:

An anti-theft device comprising an electrically conducting flexible cable
which is connected, at one end, to elements for detachable engagement
with an item to be retained and is provided with elements for detecting
the engagement of said detachable engagement elements for detachable
engagement with the item to be retained, and a supporting base which can
be associated with a control unit which is designed to act in response to
the detection, by the detection elements, of the engagement/disengagement
of the detachable engagement elements for detachable engagement with the
item to be retained, the device further comprising elements for
detachable connection between the flexible cable and the supporting base.

Claims:

1-17. (canceled)

18. An anti-theft device comprising an electrically conducting flexible
cable which is connected, at one end, to means for detachable engagement
with an item to be retained and is provided with means for detecting the
engagement of said means for detachable engagement with the item to be
retained, and a supporting base which can be associated with a control
unit which is designed to act in response to the detection, by said
detection means, of the engagement/disengagement of said means for
detachable engagement with the item to be retained, further comprising
means for detachable connection between said flexible cable and said
supporting base.

19. The anti-theft device according to claim 18, wherein said flexible
cable comprises two conducting wires which are connected, at one end, to
said means for detachable engagement with an item to be retained, said
detection means being adapted to act in response to the opening and/or
closure of the electrical contact between said two conducting wires.

20. The anti-theft device according to claim 18, wherein said flexible
cable has, at the opposite end with respect to the end associated with
said detachable engagement means, a connection terminal which can be
associated with a connector which is supported by said supporting base
and is connected to said control unit.

21. The anti-theft device according to claim 18, wherein said cable is
associated with a spool, which is mounted so that it can rotate on a
support, and can be wound on and unwound from said spool, elastic loading
means for said spool being provided in order to ensure the automatic
rewinding and tensioning of said cable on said spool.

22. The anti-theft device according to claim 18, comprising means for
activating said control unit.

23. The anti-theft device according to claim 18, comprising means for
supplying power to said control unit.

24. The anti-theft device according to claim 23, wherein said means for
supplying power to said control unit comprise the electrical supply mains
or a power supply battery which is accommodated within said supporting
base.

25. The anti-theft device according to claim 18, wherein said detachable
engagement means comprise an element for closing said electrical contact
which can be activated as a consequence of the coupling of said
detachable connection means with said at least one item to be retained.

26. The anti-theft device according to claim 18, wherein said flexible
cable comprises an electric power supply cable for said at least one item
to be retained and said detachable engagement means comprise a power
supply connector which can be coupled to a power supply socket which is
provided on said item to be retained, said detection means being adapted
to act in response to the uncoupling of said power supply connector with
respect to said power supply socket.

27. The anti-theft device according to claim 26, wherein said detection
means comprise a device for measuring the electrical load to which said
power supply cable is subjected.

28. The anti-theft device according to claim 27, wherein said electrical
load measurement device is adapted to detect the disconnection of said
power supply connector from said power supply socket and to send an
activation signal to said control unit to operate the alarm.

29. The anti-theft device according to claim 26, wherein said detection
means comprise a brightness sensor which is provided substantially at
said power supply connector and is designed to be arranged, when said
power supply connector is coupled to said power supply socket, inside
said power supply socket in a region which is not exposed to light, said
brightness sensor being adapted, in case of disconnection of said power
supply connector from said power supply socket, to detect an increase in
lighting and therefore being adapted to activate said control unit in
order to operate the alarm.

30. The anti-theft device according to claim 26, wherein said detection
means comprise a pair of auxiliary conducting wires, which have ends
which can be inserted within said power supply socket and cooperate with
an electrical interconnection bridge, which is adapted to keep the
contact between said two auxiliary conducting wires closed when said
power supply connector is coupled to said power supply socket.

31. The anti-theft device according to claim 18, wherein said detachable
connection means comprise a terminal plug of said power supply cable
which can be inserted in a corresponding electrical socket provided in
said supporting base.

32. The anti-theft device according to claim 26, wherein said control unit
is adapted to act in response to the uncoupling of said power supply
connector with respect to said power supply socket.

33. The anti-theft device according to claim 18, wherein said detachable
engagement means comprise a fastening element which is adapted to lock in
said engaged condition at least one portion of the item to be retained.

34. The anti-theft device according to claim 19, wherein said detachable
engagement means comprise a fastening element which is adapted to lock,
with respect to said one end, a portion of said cable in order to define
a retaining ring for the item to be retained.

Description:

[0001]The present invention relates to an anti-theft device suitable
particularly for use in association with displays of goods for sale, for
example technological accessories, such as mobile telephones and MP3
players, but also for eyeglasses, jewels, watches, et cetera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]As is known, it would be desirable to be able to allow customers of
a shopping center or of a shop to pick up, handle and possibly try goods
before purchase, but this generally contrasts with the need to ensure
that the goods are not stolen and taken away without paying for them.

[0003]Anti-theft tags have already been proposed which however are only
suitable for interior spaces, where it is possible to provide adequate
control by assigned personnel, but cannot give any assurance against
theft in open-air exhibitions, for example on forecourts, or in
commercial spaces provided inside the halls of shopping centers or malls.

[0004]Moreover, anti-theft tags are constituted in many cases by devices
which must break in order to release the item on sale, and this forces
the retailer to purchase new devices continuously, with an increase in
sale cost.

[0005]In order to solve these problems, European patent no. EP 1 383 979
B1 by the same Applicant devised an anti-theft device constituted
substantially by a spool made of electrically insulating material, which
is mounted so that it can rotate on a support, and by a cable, which can
be wound onto the spool and unwound from it and has a free end which can
be anchored detachably to the item to be retained thanks to the presence
of means for detachable engagement.

[0006]The spool is associated with an elastic loading spring to keep the
cable under tension and rewind it automatically.

[0007]The detachable engagement means are adapted to open and/or close the
electrical contact, while a control unit is designed to generate control
signals for an alarm device if the electrical circuit is opened due to a
theft attempt: currently, the alarm device is located in the vicinity of
the spool and therefore the sound originates from the location where the
attempted theft is occurring.

[0008]In the preferred embodiment of the device briefly described above,
the spool is supported by the central portion of a supporting shaft and
the cable supported by said spool is formed by two conducting wires which
are sheathed and enclosed advantageously in an insulating sheath.

[0009]In order to supply power to the electrical circuit, which can be
opened at the detachable connection means, the ends of the two conducting
wires are connected to respective sliding shoes or springs, which are
designed to abut against respective plates located proximate to the sides
of the spool.

[0010]In turn, the plates are connected to the control unit, which is
constituted for example by a controller.

[0011]Although the device described above has been particularly successful
on a commercial level, the need has been observed to provide a device
which ensures higher modularity, so as to allow its use also in
association with means for detachable connection and/or with controllers
which are already commercially available and installed in shops or
shopping centers.

[0012]All currently commercially available types of anti-theft devices in
fact provide monolithically, i.e., in a single body, the so-called
electronic part, which manages the connection to the mains and the alarm
procedures and is fixed generally to column-style displays or display
counters, and the so-called mechanical part, which is constituted by the
takeup spool and by the means for detachable connection to the item to be
retained.

[0013]This aspect suffers the drawback of having to provide, in case of
malfunction of the means for detachable connection and/or in case of
breakage of the sheathed cable, the complete removal of the block which
comprises both the electronic part and the mechanical part; a removal
which the personnel is not always able to perform.

[0014]After its removal, the block must be taken to be repaired,
disassembled and fixed by an assigned technician and then returned to the
shop and reinstalled, again by an assigned worker.

[0015]It is evident that all these operations cause substantial management
problems, especially in shops which have a large number of displays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016]The aim of the present invention is to provide an anti-theft device
which allows to eliminate or at least reduce drastically the drawbacks
noted above.

[0017]Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide an
anti-theft device which can be used to retain any type of item and to
manage rapidly and inexpensively any breakages and/or replacements that
might be necessary.

[0018]Another object of the invention is to devise an anti-theft device
which has a competitive production cost, so that its use is advantageous
also from an economical standpoint.

[0019]This aim and these and other objects, which will become better
apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an anti-theft device which
comprises an electrically conducting flexible cable which is connected,
at one end, to means for detachable engagement with an item to be
retained and is provided with means for detecting the engagement of said
means for detachable engagement with the item to be retained, and a
supporting base which can be associated with a control unit which is
designed to act in response to the detection, by said detection means, of
the engagement/disengagement of said means for detachable engagement with
the item to be retained, characterized in that it comprises means for
detachable connection between said flexible cable and said supporting
base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become
better apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive
embodiments of an anti-theft device according to the present invention,
illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings,
wherein:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first example of embodiment of an
anti-theft device according to the invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a constructive variation of an anti-theft
device according to the invention;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a practical example of embodiment of
an anti-theft device according to the invention;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a view of the anti-theft device of FIG. 3 associated with
a package.

[0025]In the exemplary embodiments that follow, individual
characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be
interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other
exemplary embodiments.

[0026]Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during
the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the
subject of a disclaimer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027]With reference to the figures, an anti-theft device, generally
designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises an electrically
conducting flexible cable 2, which is connected, at one of its ends 2a,
to means 3 for detachable engagement with an item 4 to be retained.

[0028]The flexible cable 2 is associated with detection means which are
designed to check that the detachable engagement means 3 actually engage
the item 4 to be retained.

[0029]Moreover, the anti-theft device 1 comprises a supporting base 5,
which can be associated with a control unit 6 which is designed to act in
response to the detection, by the detection means, of the engagement or
disengagement of the detachable engagement means 3 with the item 4 to be
retained.

[0030]According to the invention, the anti-theft device 1 comprises means
7 for detachable connection between the, or at least one, flexible cable
2 and the supporting base 5.

[0031]According to a first aspect, the flexible cable 2 comprises two
conducting wires which are connected, at one end, to said detachable
engagement means 3; in this case, the detector means can be adapted to
act in response to the opening and/or closure of an electrical contact
between the two conducting wires.

[0032]According to an important aspect of the invention, the flexible
cable 2 has, at the end 2b opposite with respect to the end associated
with the detachable engagement means 3, at least one connection terminal
8, which can be associated with a respective connector 9 which is defined
on the supporting base 5 and is connected to the control unit 6 by way of
per se known connection means 10.

[0033]Moreover, the detachable connection means can be constituted by one
or more devices for locking one another the supporting base 5 and a body
2c for supporting the flexible cable 2.

[0034]This or these locking devices can be provided for example by
bayonet-like or pressure-operated interconnection elements which, as
mentioned, act between the supporting base 5 and the supporting body 2c.

[0035]Conveniently, the flexible cable 2 is associated with a spool 11,
which is mounted so that it can rotate on the supporting body 2c, with
respect to which it can be wound and unwound.

[0036]Advantageously in this case, there are means for elastic loading,
not shown, which act on the spool 11 to ensure the tension and automatic
rewinding of the flexible cable 2 onto the spool 11.

[0037]The supporting base 5 can be supplied with power by means of a cable
12 for electrical connection to the electrical mains and/or by means of a
battery 13 which can be accommodated in the supporting base 5 and is
preferably of the rechargeable type.

[0038]The control unit 6 can be activated by way of activation means 14,
which can be operated by means of a manual switch 15 arranged on the
outer portion of the supporting base 5 or, as shown in the example of
FIG. 2, by means of a remote control 16.

[0039]There is nothing to prevent the activation of the anti-theft device
1 from being performed also by way of control means of the infrared,
magnetic, transponder, radio frequency type or the like.

[0040]The detachable engagement means 3 comprise, for example, an element
for closing the electrical contact between the two conducting wires which
are arranged inside the flexible cable 2 and can be activated as a
consequence of the coupling of the detachable engagement means 3 with the
item 4 to be retained.

[0041]Still according to an important aspect of the invention, the
flexible cable 2 comprises an electric power supply cable 17 of the type
commonly provided to recharge batteries which can be associated with
electronic devices such as cellular telephones, portable PCs, digital
cameras and video cameras, and technological devices in general.

[0042]In this particular case, the detachable engagement means 3 comprise
a power supply connector 17a, which is arranged at one end of the power
supply cable 17 and can be coupled to a power supply socket 17b which is
defined on the item 4 to be retained and is generally provided
specifically in order to allow recharging of the batteries.

[0043]In this constructive variation, the detection means are adapted to
act in response to the uncoupling of the power supply connector 17a from
the power supply socket 17b.

[0044]In practice, if an ill-intentioned individual tried to uncouple the
power supply connector 17a from the power supply socket 17b in order to
steal the electronic device, the detection means would activate the
control unit 6 and therefore the alarm associated therewith.

[0045]This solution allows operation during the display of the electronic
device and at the same time provides an effective deterrent against theft
attempts.

[0046]In this case, the detection means can be provided in different
manners. In particular, it is possible to provide first of all a device
for measuring the load to which the power supply cable 17 is subjected,
which can be arranged along said power supply cable 17 or in the
supporting base 5.

[0047]When the power supply connector 17a is disconnected from the power
supply socket 17b, the electrical load to which the power supply cable 17
is subjected is eliminated, and the load measurement device, by detecting
this situation, sends an activation signal to the control unit 6, which
activates the alarm.

[0048]In this regard, it has been found that it can be convenient to
provide the control unit 6 so that it can interrupt the flow current
which passes through the power supply cable 17 for short time intervals
(which advantageously can range from a fraction of a second to several
seconds).

[0049]In practice, the interruption of the flow of current prevents the
battery from recharging completely, thus ensuring that the electrical
load can be controlled efficiently and continuously. In this manner, in
fact, the load does not undergo the even substantial variations which may
occur in some devices when the battery is completely charged.

[0050]Of course, shop visitors are unable to determine when the flow of
current is interrupted and in any case, even if the power supply
connector 17a were to be removed from the power supply socket 17b during
this interval, after a few fractions of a second, when the control unit 6
reactivates the flow of current, the field measurement device would be
able to detect a reduction in the load and therefore send an activation
signal to the control unit, which would activate the alarm.

[0051]In this regard it has been found that by increasing significantly
the frequency of the interruptions and consequently reducing the time
that elapses between two consecutive recharging intervals, even if the
battery is substantially charged, there is an absorption of current
between each interruption period.

[0052]This allows the control unit to detect any disconnections of the
power supply connector independently of the charging level of the battery
connected to the item to be retained.

[0053]With reference to the same concept, it is convenient for the control
unit 6 to be structured so as to measure and/or calibrate the voltage
and/or current absorbed by the battery of the item 4 to be retained.

[0054]The control unit 6 therefore stores the value measured during this
calibration step so as to have a comparison or threshold value during
use.

[0055]If the control unit, during use of the anti-theft device 1, detects
a voltage and/or current which is different from the stored comparison or
threshold value, an alarm signal is generated.

[0056]As an alternative, it is possible to perform a first calibration
while the item 4 to be retained is disconnected and then a second
calibration while the item 4 to be retained is connected. Subsequently,
at preset or random time periods, the control unit 6 performs an
instantaneous measurement of the values of current and/or voltage,
comparing them with the values related to the first and second
calibrations. If the instantaneous values are substantially equal to
those measured during the first calibration, the control unit 6 activates
the alarm.

[0057]As an alternative, the detection means can be constituted by a
brightness sensor which is provided for example at the power supply
connector 17a and is designed to be arranged, when the power supply
connector 17a is coupled to the power supply socket 17b, inside the power
supply socket 17b and therefore in a region which is not exposed to the
light.

[0058]If the power supply connector 17a is uncoupled from the power supply
socket 17b, the brightness sensor detects an increase in light and
therefore activates the control unit 6 to activate the alarm.

[0059]In another possible exemplary embodiment, the power supply cable 17
can be provided with two auxiliary conducting wires, which have ends
which can be inserted within the power supply socket 17b and cooperate
with an electrical interconnection bridge, which is adapted to keep the
contact between the two auxiliary conducting wires closed when the power
supply connector 17a is coupled to the power supply socket 17b.

[0060]With particular reference to such embodiment, the detachable
connection means 7 are obtained from the terminal plug 20 of the power
supply cable 17, which is provided, as usual, with the corresponding
transformer 20a and can be inserted within a corresponding electrical
socket provided on the supporting base 5.

[0061]The anti-theft device 1 as described above can be provided
advantageously with detachable engagement means 3 which comprise a
fastening element which, in the engaged condition, is adapted to lock at
least one portion of the item to be retained.

[0062]However, it is possible to use different types of detachable
engagement means, such as for example clamps, coupling rings, electrified
straps or even adhesive tabs.

[0063]Detachable engagement means 3 constituted by a fastening element
which is adapted to lock, with respect to the first end 2a, a portion of
the flexible cable in order to define a retention rings 30 for the item 4
to be retained have been found to be particularly suitable for the
purpose.

[0064]In this regard, there is nothing to prevent the use of a retention
ring 30 which is designed to be crossed in order to "package", as shown
in FIG. 4, the item to be retained. This packaging prevents the opening
of the package of the item and therefore the removal of such item from
the box or of the microchip contained therein. In practice it is possible
to obtain simply and effectively an anti-theft device 1 which prevents
the opening of the box with which it is associated and simultaneously
prevents removal of the item from the shop.

[0065]Operation of an anti-theft device according to the invention is
evident from what has been described above.

[0066]All the characteristics of the invention described above as
advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or be replaced
with equivalents.

[0067]The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous
modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the
appended claims.

[0068]In practice it has been found that the invention has achieved the
intended aim and objects in all of its embodiments.

[0069]In particular, it is evident that the supporting base can be
associated with any type of flexible cable and can operate with a
plurality of detachable engagement means without allowing to compromise
its operation.

[0070]This allows to retain any type of item and likewise to replace
rapidly the parts which are defective and wear rapidly without the need
for the intervention of a technician.

[0071]Likewise, it is possible to use displays which are already
commercially available by simply acting on the supporting surfaces and/or
on the display posts to provide the supporting bases with which it is
then possible to associate, according to the requirements, the
corresponding flexible cables with the respective removable engagement
means.

[0072]Finally, in the case of flexible cables which comprise or are
constituted by power supply cables, the items on display can be used and
tested. If such items are constituted by mobile telephones, is possible,
at will, to associate therewith a network SIM card capable of providing
all information related to promotions, offers, tariff plans so as to
allow customers to obtain information besides testing in practice the
functions and graphical performance of the product on display.

[0073]From what has been described above, the described anti-theft device
therefore allows to display technological material (cellular telephones,
computers, et cetera) always on and powered, thus being able to ensure a
service which is essential in order to assess the features and
functionalities of the items.

[0074]Moreover, it is important to note that the spool can be rigidly
coupled or simply rested on the display counter, since if an attempt to
remove or tear the flexible cable occurs, the control unit detects this
situation, activating the alarm.

[0075]Finally, it is evident that an anti-theft device according to the
invention allows easy installation even if the interior of the shop is
already equipped with different types of alarm devices.

[0076]In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes
and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

[0077]All the details may further be replaced with other technically
equivalent elements.

[0078]The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. VR2006A00168 from
which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by
reference.

[0079]Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by
reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole
purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly
such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the
interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such
reference signs.